08/21/2026
Travel Tip — Because “A Few Bucks Here & There” Adds Up to a LOT
That little machine that asks if you'd like to pay in Canadian dollars.
Seems helpful, right?
You recognize the amount. No mental math. No standing at the counter trying to remember whether you divide by 1.67 or multiply by 1.67 while the person behind you silently judges you.
But WAIT before you hit CAD.
There's something called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) — and it's one of those little travel things that can quietly cost you money when paying with your credit card. So if you chose to pay in CAD in a foreign country, the DCC usually adds high markups and poor exchange rates.
Choose the local currency and leave the conversion to your card network/issuer instead. Your credit card may still charge a foreign transaction fee - that's a separate thing from the merchant's DCC.
ATMs can pull the same trick.
Now ya know!
Experience the art of travel alchemy.
Side effects may include wanderlust.
www.travelpotions.ca